Is It Hard To Get A Buy To Let Mortgage?

Nikka Sulton

Is It Hard To Get A Buy To Let Mortgage?

A buy-to-let mortgage offers a means of financing property investments for rental purposes, distinct from standard residential mortgages. Whether you’re a novice landlord, unintentional property owner, or seasoned investor, there are tailored options available.

Navigating the intricacies of buy-to-let mortgages can be challenging due to varying regulations and criteria set by lenders. In this guide, we demystify the fundamentals of buy-to-let mortgages, providing insights into the application process and how lenders assess affordability.

How do buy-to-let mortgages work?

Most buy-to-let mortgages operate on an interest-only basis, where monthly payments cover only the interest, not the principal loan amount. While this can reduce immediate costs, it’s essential to strategize repayment or refinancing options by the end of the mortgage term.

This approach allows landlords to minimize monthly outgoings, providing flexibility in managing cash flow. However, it necessitates careful planning to ensure the full loan amount is settled or refinanced at the term’s conclusion.

How much deposit do I need for a buy-to-let mortgage?

When seeking a mortgage for an investment property, it’s customary to prepare a deposit representing approximately 20% to 25% of the property’s total value. This initial financial commitment serves as a foundational step in securing financing for your investment endeavor.

As with traditional residential mortgages, the size of your deposit plays a significant role in determining the interest rates available to you. Generally, lenders offer more competitive rates to investors who provide larger deposits. Those with deposits of 40% or higher often gain access to the most favorable buy-to-let mortgage deals in the market.

Beyond the deposit, lenders conduct a thorough assessment of your financial profile to gauge your ability to repay the mortgage. This evaluation encompasses various factors, including your current portfolio composition and your history of managing previous buy-to-let finances. Demonstrating a strong track record in property investment and responsible financial management can bolster your eligibility and potentially unlock more favorable lending terms.

Mortgages for buy-to-let companies

In response to reductions in mortgage interest tax relief and adjustments to the wear and tear allowance, a notable trend among landlords involves contemplating the conversion of their buy-to-let portfolios into company structures. This strategic shift aims to navigate evolving taxation landscapes and optimize financial efficiencies.

While the adoption of company buy-to-let mortgages remains relatively modest within the market, there has been a discernible uptick in numbers over recent years. This trend underscores landlords’ proactive efforts to adapt to regulatory changes and explore avenues for mitigating tax implications.

Nevertheless, it’s imperative to approach the transition to a company structure with careful consideration, as it entails nuanced implications and trade-offs. One significant consideration is the prevailing interest rates associated with company buy-to-let mortgages, which tend to surpass those available to individual borrowers. This aspect underscores the importance of conducting comprehensive cost-benefit analyses and consulting financial advisors to assess the feasibility and implications of such a transition thoroughly.

Moreover, transitioning to a company setup introduces complexities beyond interest rate differentials, including administrative requirements, legal considerations, and potential impacts on portfolio management. Landlords must navigate these intricacies diligently to ensure a seamless transition and optimize the benefits of operating within a corporate framework.

Ultimately, while company buy-to-let mortgages present an avenue for addressing tax-related challenges and optimizing financial strategies, their suitability varies based on individual circumstances and portfolio dynamics. As such, landlords are advised to engage in thorough due diligence, seek professional advice, and assess the long-term implications before embarking on this strategic shift.

How to compare buy-to-let mortgages

When evaluating mortgage options, it’s crucial to consider the total cost of the loan, as a seemingly low initial rate may be offset by hefty fees.

Buy-to-let mortgages typically entail higher upfront fees compared to residential mortgages, often ranging around £1,999 or more.

These fees can vary, with some lenders imposing fixed charges and others opting for a percentage-based fee, such as 0.5% of the loan amount.

Affordability rules for landlords

Numerous appealing mortgage deals exist for landlords, but expect rigorous affordability assessments.

The Bank of England has implemented stricter lending regulations to temper what it perceived as an overheated buy-to-let market in recent years.

Interest cover ratios on buy-to-let mortgages

Lenders employ interest cover ratios (ICRs) in their affordability evaluations to estimate a landlord’s potential profit.

The lender’s ICR represents the ratio at which a property’s rental income should cover the landlord’s mortgage payments, typically tested at a standard interest rate (commonly 5.5%).
Lenders mandate a minimum test of 125%, meaning the expected rental income must be at least 125% of the landlord’s mortgage payments. However, many impose higher thresholds, often around 145%.

Mortgages for portfolio landlords

Investors owning four or more properties are commonly referred to as ‘portfolio landlords’.

This categorization is significant, as regulations implemented by the Bank of England in recent years have increased the difficulty for these landlords to secure further financing.

Portfolio landlord stress-testing

In the past, portfolio landlords could present their overall profit/loss data when seeking additional funds or refinancing properties within their portfolio. However, this approach has been altered.

Presently, applicants must furnish mortgage particulars, cash flow forecasts, and business strategies for each property in their possession when seeking financing.

For landlords with heavily leveraged portfolios, these regulations may pose challenges in securing additional funding.

Maximum portfolio size and ICR increases

Portfolio landlords encounter additional constraints, which differ among lenders.

For instance, certain lenders establish a maximum limit on the number of properties permissible in a portfolio (often up to 10), while others adjust their interest cover ratios (ICRs) and representative interest rates based on portfolio size.

Further lender-specific regulations may involve capping maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratios across the entire portfolio (e.g., mandating an overall portfolio LTV of 65% or lower) or requiring that the ICR for each property in the portfolio surpass 100%.

Remortgaging for landlords

Taxation alterations, such as reductions in mortgage interest tax relief and the introduction of the 3% buy-to-let stamp duty surcharge, have prompted numerous landlords to opt for portfolio refinancing over expansion.

In efforts to entice landlords, lenders have traditionally slashed upfront fees or provided cashback incentives.

Buy-to-let mortgages for first-time buyers

If purchasing a property in your local area proves challenging, investing in property elsewhere and renting it out could be an option worth exploring. Securing a buy-to-let mortgage as a first-time buyer is feasible, albeit not without its challenges.

First-time buyers entering the buy-to-let market may encounter larger deposit requirements, limiting their choice of mortgage deals. Additionally, they forfeit certain benefits, such as first-time buyer relief on stamp duty, as the property is not intended for personal residence.

However, they avoid paying the full buy-to-let/second home surcharge initially, instead being subject to the ‘home mover rate.’ Yet, if they later purchase a property for personal use while retaining their buy-to-let, the surcharge applies. Furthermore, securing a residential mortgage down the line may pose difficulties, as lenders assess outstanding debts, including buy-to-let mortgages.